Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Salem bin Buraik affirmed that peace in Yemen and the region will not be achieved without social justice and equal opportunities, emphasizing that investing in people is the only path towards stability and sustainable development.
This came in a speech he delivered during the opening of the second World Summit for Social Development, which commenced its proceedings on Tuesday in the Qatari capital, Doha. The summit saw participation from state leaders, heads of government, ministers, and experts from international organizations and civil societies worldwide.
The Prime Minister stated that Yemen, despite facing enormous economic and humanitarian difficulties due to the war and coup, is proceeding with its battle to rebuild state institutions on the foundations of justice and equal citizenship. He affirmed that his government is working to achieve gradual economic recovery with support from regional and international partners.
He added: “Social development is not a luxury in times of crisis; it is the real battle to reclaim the Yemeni individual from the rubble of war and poverty. We believe that the path to peace passes through development, and that justice and equality are the foundation of any lasting stability.”
Bin Buraik pointed out that the war has had devastating effects on the economy and public services, leading to high rates of poverty and unemployment, and the deterioration of the education, health, and energy sectors. However, he stated, the government is moving forward with comprehensive economic and administrative reforms to protect the national currency, improve revenues, and expand social safety nets for the most vulnerable groups.
He also emphasized empowering women and youth in the labor market and state institutions, and expanding partnerships with the private sector as a key partner in reconstruction and development. He affirmed Yemen’s commitment to the spirit of the Doha Declaration and the Copenhagen Principles, stating that “true development cannot be achieved without international cooperation and shared responsibility to address challenges.”
Concluding his speech, the Prime Minister called for easing the debt burden on least developed countries and increasing development support directed towards human development and achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. He affirmed Yemen’s belief that “international solidarity is the bridge to transforming crises into opportunities and building a more just and equitable future.”
The Doha Social Development Summit comes at a time when the international community seeks to revive the global vision for comprehensive development launched at the 1995 Copenhagen Summit and to review the progress made three decades after the initial commitments.
